It is important to know what clothing we need when we are about to paddle a kayak or canoe for the first time, and even if it is not our debut in sailing, it is also good to be familiar with some basic rules.
What you should wear depends on the paddling conditions, the weather conditions and what the possibility of unexpectedly flipping in the water.
When the air and water temperatures are suitable for swimming,
is enough to be dressed as for a normal day at the beach. However, keep in mind that it is desirable that the clothes you wear protect you from the sun and that their fabric is breathable.
When the air temperature is relatively high and the water temperature is not suitable for swimming and we judge it as cold for us (the judgment is individual), we need to be more careful in our choice of clothing. If we are going to paddle in calm waters (dams, lakes), we dress according to the air temperature. When paddling in fast water or in sea conditions where the chance of getting wet or capsizing is significantly greater, we need to tailor our clothing accordingly.
IMPORTANT! Prepare, in a waterproof bag, an extra set of clothes to change into!
The “key concept” in cold weather is SLOPES. Several thin layers of clothing will retain heat and you will be much more mobile with them than one thick layer. Remember, it’s better to be comfortable, and when you have several thin layers of clothing, you can always take one of them off. The first layer of clothing (closest to the body) should be cotton or wool, or synthetic fibers, in either case the goal is to absorb perspiration. The second layer should be wool or a similar synthetic fabric. Choose cropped garments to allow greater freedom of movement. The third, surface layer, protects you from water penetration. Make sure it is made of waterproof and windproof fabric and, if possible, has rubber/neoprene taping around the wrists and neck to prevent water from entering. Shoes can range from old trainers, to sandals and neoprene boots, to special boating shoes.
When the buoyancy temperature is lower and the water is cold there is a serious risk of hypothermia if the boat capsizes. In this case a wet or dry waterproof suit would be a good investment. The choice is an individual one and should be tailored to the body of water and weather conditions of the place where the paddling takes place.
In cold weather combined with wind, a good accessory to protect the hands are gloves. You can use wool gloves, polypropylene gloves – keep hands warm when wet and dry quickly, neoprene paws – grip directly to the paddle (we recommend this option) and keep hands dry and warm while providing a good grip on the paddle.
As the saying goes – there is no bad weather, but inappropriate equipment! Match your clothing to the weather conditions and the bodies of water you’re paddling in, so you can fully enjoy kayaking or canoeing.
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